Charles Roadman

American, active c. 1935

Explore selected works

This is a drawing of a quilt design featuring red and green floral patterns. The drawing displays an intricate quilt design with a central red square surrounded by radiating green and red leaf-like shapes in a symmetrical pattern. The quilt includes a border of intertwining green and red vine-like elements. The texture suggests detailed stitching in a repetitive diagonal pattern, overall resembling sewn fabric. The lower right of the image includes a magnified section of the red and green leaves, highlighting their intricate textures. The drawing is attributed to Charles Roadman, as noted in the inscription on the artwork.
Charles Roadman, Quilt (Red and Green Leaves), c. 1941, watercolor and graphite on paperboard, Index of American Design, 1943.8.458

Quilt (Red and Green Leaves)

Charles Roadman · c. 1941 · watercolor and graphite on paperboard ·  Accession ID  1943.8.458
This is a drawing of embroidered floral designs. The image contains two pieces of fabric with embroidery. The left piece shows various flowers and a bird in flight. The right piece displays a large red rose with two green leaves and a butterfly on top. Below it, a stitched inscription reads, "Annamaria Bullz WrouGht this sample in the year 1831." The embroidery features vibrant colors like reds, greens, and yellows against a neutral fabric background. The needlework and patterns reflect traditional 19th-century embroidery styles.
Charles Roadman, Sampler, c. 1940, watercolor, graphite, and gouache on paperboard, Index of American Design, 1943.8.25

Sampler

Charles Roadman · c. 1940 · watercolor, graphite, and gouache on paperboard ·  Accession ID  1943.8.25
The image displays a composition of rectangular and square shapes formed by red and tan-colored lines interwoven in a grid-like pattern. This abstract arrangement resembles a woven fabric or a patchwork quilt, with varying densities that create a sense of rhythm and repetition. The regularity and interconnecting lines evoke the appearance of a traditional textile design, creating a familiar yet abstract representation reminiscent of a woven mat or a structured mosaic.
Charles Roadman, Coverlet, c. 1940, watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paperboard, Index of American Design, 1943.8.647

Coverlet

Charles Roadman · c. 1940 · watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paperboard ·  Accession ID  1943.8.647
The image depicts an abstract pattern with lines, grids, squares, and geometric shapes arranged in a rectangular formation. Blue lines intersect on a beige background, creating a textured effect. Red and blue squares are scattered throughout the design. The overall composition resembles a woven fabric or plaid pattern.
Charles Roadman, Coverlet, c. 1940, watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paperboard, Index of American Design, 1943.8.644

Coverlet

Charles Roadman · c. 1940 · watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paperboard ·  Accession ID  1943.8.644
The image shows a decorative oval object with a central design featuring two birds surrounded by fruits and leaves. The color palette includes black, red, yellow, green, pink, gold, and white. The birds face each other amidst the fruits and leaves, which include grapes, pears, and various leaves. The outer border of the oval features intricate floral patterns in similar colors.
Charles Roadman, Tray, c. 1940, watercolor, graphite, and gouache on paperboard, Index of American Design, 1943.8.15245

Tray

Charles Roadman · c. 1940 · watercolor, graphite, and gouache on paperboard ·  Accession ID  1943.8.15245
This is a painting of a decorative text piece with floral elements. The image features a central rectangular section filled with ornate text, surrounded by vibrant floral decorations. The color palette includes deep reds, yellows, blues, and greens. The text is stylized and some words are highlighted in bolder typography. The flowers and leaves surrounding the text are intricately detailed with symmetrical patterns and colorful designs. The style resembles Pennsylvania German Fraktur, known for its intricate watercolor illustrations and calligraphy.
Charles Roadman, Birth Certificate, c. 1940, watercolor, colored pencil, pen and ink, graphite,and heightening on paperboard, Index of American Design, 1943.8.7587

Birth Certificate

Charles Roadman · c. 1940 · watercolor, colored pencil, pen and ink, graphite,and heightening on paperboard ·  Accession ID  1943.8.7587
The image displays a symmetrical pattern of intricate shapes and lines, forming a structured and abstract composition. It features repetitive rectangular segments filled with smaller geometric motifs, creating a woven textile-like appearance. The colors of red and green contribute to a grid-like abstraction, resembling a colorful quilt with hints of basket weaves or reptile scales. Each segment is unique yet blends harmoniously in the overall design.
Charles Roadman, Woven Coverlet, 1935/1942, watercolor and graphite on paperboard, Index of American Design, 1943.8.2931

Woven Coverlet

Charles Roadman · 1935/1942 · watercolor and graphite on paperboard ·  Accession ID  1943.8.2931
This is a painting of a heart surrounded by birds and floral designs. The artwork includes a large heart at its center with text in a script, likely in German. The heart is bordered by birds and flora in red, brown, and green tones. Two red birds and two brown birds with red accents are perched symmetrically on branches with stylized flowers. The flowers have intricate details. This piece is in the style of Charles Roadman, known for creating fraktur, a type of Pennsylvania German art. The balanced composition and ornamental quality evoke 19th-century decorative arts.
Charles Roadman, Fractur, 1935/1942, watercolor and graphite on paper, Index of American Design, 1943.8.16769

Fractur

Charles Roadman · 1935/1942 · watercolor and graphite on paper ·  Accession ID  1943.8.16769
The image displays a complex arrangement of geometric shapes and lines forming a symmetrical and patterned design. The composition features intricate rectangles and grids suggesting a woven textile. The colors red, blue, and green resemble a traditional tartan plaid pattern. A smaller section of the design is shown below the larger one, repeating the same pattern in a reduced scale.
Charles Roadman, Coverlet, 1935/1942, watercolor and graphite on paperboard, Index of American Design, 1943.8.2921

Coverlet

Charles Roadman · 1935/1942 · watercolor and graphite on paperboard ·  Accession ID  1943.8.2921